I actually really love the second shot there. That is exactly the kind of shot I encouraged my students to take back when I did photography workshops on a more regular basis. It could be improved by framing a little better, as you say, but it is still really good as is.
I think these days it is much easier to gain photography experience and improve just by taking lots of photos, seeing the results, adjusting, taking lots more, etc. When I started teaching workshops digital was still too expensive, and film runs out too fast, so I'd have all my students construct wooden frames and we'd do photowalks carrying those around to practicing composing and framing. But now with smartphones, I can just have everyone use the camera that's always with them.
One day I'll have a lesson or two...one day I'll do lots of things I guess. For now it's a low priority so I just take photos and don't stress too much about the results. No one sees them but me other than a few on Hive, and I get to live the memories of where my photos are taken in real life so it seems enough.
Good idea on the wooden frame thing though. I'll make one and slip it into my back pocket so it's always with me.